Outdoor stairs can be only a small part of your backyard transformation, but they’re one of the most important elements because they impact safety, accessibility, and the overall look of your property.
You may be installing steps on a steep dune down to your beach, creating a smooth transition from your patio, or integrating access from your deck to your front yard. Choosing the right material makes a big difference in all of these scenarios.
Below we’ll walk through your top options for the best material for your outdoor steps and when each makes sense for you.
Composite Stairs
Durable & No-Maintenance
Best for: Residential yards, front steps, some beach access scenarios
Composite is an alternative to traditional wood that combines recycled materials and reclaimed wood fibers with a protective outer shell for incredible durability throughout all seasons. It gives you wood-like aesthetics without the downsides of wood decking.
Why Choose Composite Steps
- Resists rot, warping, and moisture: Because of the recycled material content in composite (and the proprietary four-sided capping in the TimberTech composite we use), your deck will last much longer through the seasons.
- Get the look of real wood: While wood looks great, its beauty doesn’t last compared to composite. Composite is able to replicate hardwoods without fading and without the plasticy shine.
- No maintenance: You won’t need to stain or seal your stairs.
- Slip resistance: Composite offers slip-resistant textures for safer footing in rainy and snowy weather.
- Stay cool: Composite steps stay cooler than wood, letting people and pets walk comfortably even in hot weather.
- Match any aesthetic: Because composite offers a large selection of colors and grains, you will find the perfect fit to match any outdoor design.
Best Places to Use Composite
Composite stairs are the best for front and back decks or porches. Even in direct sun or in wet conditions, composite doesn’t crack like wood, so it will outlast traditional lumber and other materials that aren’t designed for outdoor exposure.
Composite can also be used for beach access down your dune in some scenarios. It is important to note that composite is a permanent solution though. If you are at all debating moving or removing your stairs with changing lake levels, you will find aluminum stairs to be a much better beach access solution for you.
Some Considerations
Because of its superior durability, fire- and water-resistance, composite is a premium material that will have a higher upfront cost than treated lumber. For a balance of durability and cost, you can consider a treated lumber frame with composite treads and railings.
And while composite stairs generally stay much cooler than treated lumber, you will also have to consider the color of composite you choose—lighter colors typically absorb less heat and will feel even cooler to the touch.
“Mason, Clayton, Elliot and the entire Lakeshore Customs team completed an extensive multiple deck rehab for us and it came out spectacularly!…Using Timbertech deck and AZEK trim products, our two decks, front porch, and garage are pretty near perfect and the product aesthetic is amazing and beautiful! We could not be happier!” — Paul K.
Aluminum Stairs
Lightweight & Weather-Proof
Best for: Lakefront properties, steep dunes, high-exposure beach environments
Aluminum isn’t usually the first choice for yard stairs, but it excels on beach and waterfront properties—especially on large, steep dunes. Its corrosion resistance makes it perfect for properties on Lake Michigan where moisture and wind are everyday challenges.
Why Choose Aluminum Stairs
- Excellent corrosion and rust resistance: Aluminum holds up in harsh, wet, conditions.
- Lightweight: Easily installed in large sections on expansive, steep dunes.
- Removable/temporary options: Aluminum stairs can be moved and removed easily depending on changing lake levels.
- Comfortable underfoot: For long treks to the beach, the aluminum stairs we install have slip-resistant treads built in.
- Customizable: These systems can be customized based on the length or shape of your dune. They can even be painted or powder coated to match your outdoor design!
- Prefabricated for deck integration: These systems can be easily added to a custom deck or to the end of your composite stair system.
Best Places to Use Aluminum Stairs
Aluminum stairs are best suited for lake access stairs. Since they come in prefabricated sections, they can be customized by length and layout to work perfectly with large, steep lakefront dunes. They can even be attached at the end of your composite deck and stairs for extra stability as you reach the water.
Some Considerations
These stairs come naturally in the aluminum color. For further customization, they can be painted or powder coated—and custom railing styles are also available to work with your outdoor design.
“I had significant beach erosion and loss of the steps to my beach with the high water levels of Lake Michigan in recent years. I contacted Mason Kuipers of Lakeshore Customs to advise how best to restore things and allow me to regain access to my beach…They cleared the dune of fallen trees and debris; placed erosion blankets on the dune to further stabilize it and then planted dune grass; built wooden steps and deck leading down to the crest of the dune, and then installed aluminum steps down the steepest part of the dune. Those steps could be removed if water levels start going up dangerously again.” — Janet J.
Natural Stone, Hardscape & Brick
Timeless and Strong
Best for: Short stairways, terraced yards, high-end hardscape designs
Natural stone and brick bring classic beauty to stair systems when you want to blend them seamlessly with your patio or garden hardscapes.
Why Choose Hardscape Steps
- Incredibly durable: Stone lasts decades with almost no maintenance.
- Slip-resistance: The natural slip-resistant texture of stone or brick helps during wet seasons.
- Match your patio: Short stairways can integrate naturally from your patio to your lawn.
Best Places to Use Hardscape or Natural Stone
Hardscape, brick, or natural stone steps work best for short front entry stairs, terraced lawns, or patio/walkway transitions to keep materials consistent. These materials are best used for short stairways.
Some Considerations
Because of the high-end natural material and a more labor-intensive installation, you may see a higher upfront cost for hardscape stairs. However, their longevity and timeless appeal make them a worthwhile investment that will last decades with very minimal upkeep.
Michigan-Specific Considerations
Michigan has freeze-thaw cycles, snow, and lake effects that make slip-resistance and longevity crucial for every stair system we install. Because of this, we recommend TimberTech composite and aluminum stair systems for most stairs we install. These materials handle these conditions better over time, offering the best durability for your investment.
Lakeshore Customs: A Custom Stair Builder in West Michigan
At Lakeshore Customs, we specialize in designing and building outdoor stair systems that combine aesthetics with unmatched durability for your unique property. We specialize in lakefront properties, where beach access and deck integration are a priority.
Our team works closely with you to select the right material for your property and use case, so that your stairs not only look great but last for years to come.
Ready to take the first step? Get in touch with us today to schedule a free consultation.